“Over there is Franchesca and in the back is Judy. Judy is our colorist extraordinaire and she also does braids. Though braids are done by appointment only and there’s a waiting list,” said Maria
“I don’t think your girlfriend is looking for a sales pitch Maria,” said Tanya.
Maria laughed.
“I’m going to clean up and then I’ll be ready. Have a seat anywhere,” said Maria.
Juanita sat in one of the washing chairs.
“So how long have you known Maria?” she asked Tanya.
“Oh, ‘bout 3 years. She hired me as a stylist. My first “real” stylist job. With my own chair and stuff. She took a chance on me. You remember shit like that. And you appreciate it, you know?”
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“So you her new girlfriend huh?”
“I don’t know, we haven’t discussed it.”
“Hmm. Well, don’t hurt her. If you don’t have good intentions you should just leave her now ‘cause she falls hard when she falls in love. And she got a lot of friends who don’t like seeing her get hurt.”
“That’s pretty protective of your boss,” said Juanita.
“That’s pretty protective of a friend.”
“Hey Tanya, can you come back here for a second?” came Maria’s voice from the back.
“Yeah, sure thing,” Tanya yelled back.
“Nice meeting you. Hope to see you around,” said Tanya to Juanita.
“Likewise,” said Juanita and nodded her head.
A short while later Maria came out from the back.
“You ready to go?” she asked Juanita.
“Sure thing. You’re done here?” she asked.
“Oh yeah,” said Maria, “The girls said they would lock up. Tanya pretty much insisted. I think she likes you. She wanted to make sure we had time to enjoy our evenings.”
They drove to Maria’s house, Juanita following Maria.
“Welcome to mi casa,” said Maria. She closed the door after Juanita walked in. “Let me take your coat. Have a seat anywhere.”
Juanita took off her coat and took a look around.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” offered Maria.
“A glass of red wine if you have it,” said Juanita.
“I do. I’ll have to open a bottle.”
“That’s fine. Do you want me to get the glasses?”
“Just one glass. I’m more of a beer gal myself, straight from the bottle.”
“Really?” asked Juanita in surprise, “I seem to recall that you had wine when we first went out.”
“Oh I’ll drink wine on occasion, mostly white, I prefer a dry wine, but for everyday drinking it’s a beer. Krona’s, with a lime.”
“Hmm. Interesting,” said Juanita.
Maria came into the living room carrying a glass of red wine and a Krona beer with a lime in the neck of the bottle.
Juanita took the wine.
“Salude.”
“Salude.”
Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10,
Page 11, Page 12, Page 13, Page 15, Page 16, Page 17, Page 18, Page 19, Page 20
The Author Stew webpage - Stories & Poems 